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<div><a href="http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/072309_SEACOM_Fiber_Network_Adds_Connectivity_to_Africa">http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/072309_SEACOM_Fiber_Network_Adds_Connectivity_to_Africa</a></div>
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<h1 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5px">SEACOM Fiber Network Adds Connectivity to Africa</h1>
<div class="tags">(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- Bringing unprecedented capacity and connectivity to Africa, broadband provider SEACOM (<a href="http://www.seacom.mu/" target="_blank">www.seacom.mu</a>) has opened a 1.28 Terabyte per second, 17,000 kilometer, submarine fiber-optic cable system linking south and east Africa to global networks via India and Europe.</div>
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<p>According to its Thursday announcement, the SEACOM network, which cost more than $650m to build, opens up unprecedented opportunities to governments, business leaders and citizens to compete globally, drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life across the continent.</p>
<p>"Today is a historic day for Africa and marks the dawn of a new era for communications between the continent and the rest of the world," SEACOM chief executive officer Brian Herlihy said in a statement. "Our tireless efforts of the past 24 months have come to fruition, and we are proud to be the first to provide affordable, high quality broadband capacity and experience to east African economies. Turning the switch 'on' creates a huge anticipation but ultimately, SEACOM will be judged on the changes that take place on the continent over the coming years."</p>
<p><strong>Backhauls link Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; and Kampala, Uganda with the coastal landing stations and SEACOM is also working with its national partners to quickly commission the final links to Kigali, Rwanda and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</strong></p>
<p>The SEACOM network was demonstrated at simultaneous events in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique, made possible by SEACOM and networking technology provider Cisco Systems (<a href="http://www.cisco.com/" target="_blank">www.cisco.com</a>), which collaborated with SEACOM on a voice, data and video platform to create a collaborative environment able to carry out live broadcasts and facilitate real-time, interactive presentations.</p>
<p>Cisco Africa vice president Yvon le Roux said Cisco and SEACOM share the common goal of making broadband accessible and affordable across Africa to spur urban and rural growth. "We're working with SEACOM to help transform Africa by outlining process change, building networks, and then providing the application services and expertise that support key services for citizens, such as education, healthcare, public safety, economic development, and national security," le Roux said in a statement. "SEACOM will provide the catalyst for African consumers, business and government to realise the benefits of connectivity and collaboration across the globe."</p>
<p>The new network, however, is not without its critics. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8165077.stm" target="_blank">A BBC correspondent noted</a> that Internet service providers will be able to offer increased bandwidth, but they will not necessarily be lowering the cost of Internet access. Enterprises, which pay around $3,000 a month for 1MB satellite links, however, will see their bill shrink to roughly $600 a month.</p>
<br>-- <br>Sandra Thaxter<br>(cell) 1-617-320-1098<br>personal email: <a href="mailto:sandra@thaxter.net">sandra@thaxter.net</a><br></div></div>